Suspected identity thief, burglar arrested in Watsonville Thursday

WATSONVILLE -- A 32-year-old man Santa Cruz County sheriff's deputies linked to an identity theft ring and an Aptos burglary is back in custody Friday.

Jesse Angel Jurado was arrested earlier this month after an officer found about 7 pounds of marijuana, stolen credit cards and electronics in a stolen Honda Civic he was driving outside Watsonville.

Jurado posted $25,000 bail and was released from Santa Cruz County Jail. Deputies later linked a credit card in the Honda to an 82-year-old woman whose Aptos home had been burglarized in November. One of her cards also was used at a bank ATM in Capitola on Christmas Eve, according to deputy April Skalland.

Jurado, who appeared on the county's Most Wanted list on Jan. 16, was arrested Thursday morning in Watsonville. Watsonville police officers assisted members of the county's Gang Task Force to conduct a traffic stop near Jeanette Way and Holly Drive, Watsonville Sgt. Henry Robles said.

He faces a litany of charges including felonies for using another person's credit card without permission, possession of burglary tools and possession of marijuana, among others.

Jurado was booked into County Jail, where he remained Friday morning, jail records showed.

Deputies are seeking a man who was arrested with Jurado in the stolen Honda.

Hernan Perez Coto, 33, is wanted on suspicion of a probation violation for carrying a gun. He previously was arrested on suspicion of felony vehicle theft and possession of stolen property.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office asks anyone with information to call the investigations division at 831-454-2311 or the anonymous tip line at 831-454-5995.